Doha, January 29 (QNA) - Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education has honored 65 nurseries for maintaining high safety and compliance standards, as part of its white flag (Rayati Bayda) initiative, now in its third consecutive year.

The awards were presented during an event attended by around 300 nursery owners, managers and early childhood education specialists, aimed at reinforcing safety and security standards in nurseries and ensuring a stable, child-friendly learning environment.

The honored nurseries received the white flag shield, the highest and third level of the award, which is granted to facilities that have maintained clean records free of violations or official warnings for three consecutive years.

The recognition is based on inspection and monitoring reports issued by the ministry's Department of Nurseries, which operates a tiered evaluation system. This system begins with a certificate of appreciation in the first year, followed by an award shield in the second year, culminating in the white flag shield in the third.

Officials said the awarded nurseries met key criteria, including the absence of complaints, strong relationships with parents, and prompt compliance with administrative and technical requirements issued by supervisory authorities.

Speaking at the event, Ghada Laram, Director of the Department of Nurseries at the ministry, said the continuity of the initiative reflects the success of the regulatory framework in embedding safety standards as part of institutional culture.

She added that recognizing such a number of nurseries demonstrates the ministry's commitment to providing a safe environment for children and strengthening public confidence in the quality of early childhood care.

Laram also unveiled the award criteria for 2025, reaffirming the ministry's ongoing supervisory role in monitoring nurseries' compliance with approved regulations, including license renewals and safety-related permits. She said the measures aim to encourage excellence and improve both educational and operational performance.

The ministry concluded the event by stressing the importance of partnership with the private sector to enhance early childhood services, noting that the continued success of the white flag initiative highlights the effectiveness of preventive oversight and professional compliance.

Officials said the program contributes to creating a safe and stimulating educational environment that supports children's development and reinforces trust in Qatar's early education system. (QNA)